Juan José Gámez


Juan José Gámez Rivera was a Costa Rican football player and manager.

Club career

Nicknamed La Hormiguita Manuda, Gámez played with the juniors of Unión Deportiva Tibaseña and spent his entire senior career playing for Alajuelense, with whom he won 4 league titles. He played over 200 league matches for Liga and in 121 international matches.

International career

Gámez was capped by Costa Rica, playing 45 games and scoring 7 goals. He represented his country in 7 FIFA World Cup qualification matches.

Managerial career

After retiring, Gámez managed Alajuelense, Cartaginés and the Costa Rica national football team all on two occasions.

Personal life

A son of Juan Gámez Solano and Ernestina Rivera Montenegro, Gámez was married to Telly García Montiel and they had five children. He died in September 1997 of cardiac arrest.